Ornithropter
The Ornithropter is a unique class of civilian aircraft, which uses regular engines plus large articulated wings to mimic avian flight. These aircraft are graceful and maneuverable beyond normal craft, but require more specialized training as they are prone to mishap in the hands of an inexperienced pilot. Piloting such a vehicle is a sure sign of expert skills and an appreciation for style above the more brutish fashions displayed among other Imperial vehicles. These vehicles have a limited but unique auspex profile.[1][2]
Two-person variants were used by the Blood Pact to assault Imperial forward observation posts in the later stages of the 'Liberation of Urdesh', during the Sabbat Worlds Crusade. Despite lacking combat armour, the Chaos Renegades used a surprise massed attack to overwhelm the defenders, deliberately crashing their vehicles into emplacements, with survivors disembarking and mopping up any resistance.[2]
Source
- 1: Dark Heresy Apocrypha: Vehicles & Riding Beasts, pg. 15
- 2: Urdesh: The Serpent and the Saint (Novel), Chapter 3, Section 7
